Global launch of UN Decade on Biodiversity

To celebrate the start of the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity (UNDB, 2011–2020), the UNU Institute for Sustainability and Peace (UNU-ISP) will partner with the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Japanese Ministry of the Environment, Ishikawa Prefecture and the City of Kanazawa to officially launch this important initiative around the globe. The event will promote public awareness of the UNDB and show support for developing countries in implementing the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity and the Aichi Biodiversity targets.

The Tenth Meeting of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD/COP10) Biodiversity Summit, held in 2010 in Nagoya, Aichi Prefecture, Japan, adopted the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020. The plan provides the foundation for taking action to halt biodiversity loss and sustain the earth′s ecosystems.

At its 65th Session, the United Nations General Assembly declared 2011–2020 as the UN Decade on Biodiversity, with the aim of promoting the strategic plan, raising public awareness and sustaining the momentum achieved by the celebration of the International Year of Biodiversity.

Through research and outreach activities in the area of conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity, the United Nations University works closely with the Secretariat of the CBD and the Japanese government to achieve the objectives of the convention. The global launch of the Decade on Biodiversity will be held in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture, Japan, where the closing ceremony for the International Year for Biological Diversity took place. The Noto area in Ishikawa is also one of the first areas in Japan to be designated as a Global Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).

The celebration of the launch on 17 December will be open to the public, followed on 18 to 19 December by a closed (invitation only) event.